EU-Accession States

I’m from one the new European states? Do I also qualify as a pedigree European?

I vaguely remember that all Europeans are equal. But some seem to be more equal than others… Sorry, you are still partially restricted to work here. Restriction goes for those citizens who are employed by a company in one of the accession countries. You cannot be sent to Germany as an employee

• in the field of building construction and related branches,
• in the field of cleaning buildings, equipment, and means of transport,
• or in the field of interior decoration.
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However, you still have one advantage: you will still be preferred to non-European citizens. Yet, you will receive a permit only within a proceedings with the Federal Agency for Labor. Other free private rendering services are not possible. If you want to find out if you might receive a work permit, apply from the German embassy in your home country.

The accession member states of the European Union are those, who joined on April 16, 2003. These are

Did I understand correctly, that if I were employed, I may not work in the excluded fields. As a self-employed, would I still fall under these restrictions?

Exactly! You got the idea. The self-employed are not restricted to work here. This will work if the company’s site is located at home. If you want to open such a business here in Germany, then you will have meet the general rules for opening a business. The general idea of allowing a new business to open in Germany is to meet a superior economic demand in Germany. Being in one of these restricted trades, you will in no way be able to show that you meet Germany’s superior economic interest.
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I want my spouse to follow me and work here. That surely will be no problem? I have been here now since June 2004.

Sorry, that will be a problem. Since you have only been living here since May 2004, your spouse will have to wait 18 months prior to receiving a work permit. However, a work permit will be granted starting May 2, 2006 at the latest, irrespective of the duration of abode.
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Authors: AvE / FS